August 31, 2011 Comments Off on Should Our Family Limited Partnership Be in California?

I am often asked why we have recommended making a different state the location for a client’s Dynasty Trust, Family Limited Partnership, or LLC. Since setting a trust or entity up in another jurisdiction is There are many different reasons for doing so Some states allow a trust to last forever. California, on the other […]

August 11, 2011 Comments Off on IS THE GRAT (GRANTOR RETAINED ANNUITY TRUST) DEAD?

For many years, the GRAT has been a staple of estate planning strategies. It was something that every high net worth client considered as a freezing technique. With the new estate tax law that became effective last December, a GRAT may not be the best strategy for many clients going forward. While the GRAT is […]

July 3, 2011 Comments Off on 6 ARGUMENTS AGAINST PLANNING FOR PORTABILITY ON THE FIRST DEATH

6 ARGUMENTS AGAINST PLANNING FOR PORTABILITY It seems like all I hear or read from other lawyers are all of the problems and uncertainties that exist in Portability Planning in the client’s estate plan. Last week I listened to another attorney go on and on about the best course of action to take: “Keep Doing […]

The Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) is an important and valuable estate tax planning technique for efficiently transfering the value of your primary residence or vacation home to your children on a tax advantaged basis. The QPRT is an Irrevocable Trust which takes advantage of certain provisions in the tax code to allow you to […]

by: Raymond Sheffield One of the best strategies for clients with wealth is to find ways to maximize the value and economic efficiency of that weath in a way that benefits the family without increasing the tax impact on the client’s estate. An intrafamily loan is often an excellent strategy. Loans to the children and […]

by: Raymond Sheffield Hugh Hefner is purchasing the 30% of Playboy Enterprizes he doesn’t own for an 18% premium. The media is focusing on his age and the poor future propects for the company. They seem to be ignoring the tax aspects of this deal for Mr. Hefner’s family. A publicly traded company is easy […]